My anonymous friend does not expect me to stay all night, I presume.

Did he--or is it a she, my fatal beauty ?--did _it_ not name an hour ?" "Between now and seven o'clock." "Thank you." "God be with you!" said the girl, suddenly wheeling round and walking away.
Without looking after her Steinmetz walked on, gradually increasing his pace.

In a few minutes he reached the large house standing within iron gates at the upper end of the English quay, the house of Prince Pavlo Howard Alexis.
He found Paul alone in his study.

In a few words he explained the situation.
"What do you think it means ?" asked the prince.
"Heaven only knows!" "And you will go ?" "Of course," replied Steinmetz.

"I love a mystery, especially in Petersburg.